# MITM attacks are easier to avoid with psql (Postgres) 16

DevFeed: [MITM attacks are easier to avoid with psql (Postgres) 16](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/mitm-attacks-are-easier-to-avoid-with-psql-postgres-16-5013.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://neon.com/blog/avoid-mitm-attacks-with-psql-postgres-16>)

Author: George MacKerron

Published: 2023-10-05T15:45:41Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Blog -- Neon Docs](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/blog-neon-docs.md>)

Topics: [Cryptography](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cryptography.md>)

Tags: [attacks](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/attacks.md>), [authentication](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/authentication.md>), [community](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/community.md>), [database](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/database.md>), [encryption](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/encryption.md>), [postgres](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/postgres.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [tls](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tls.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains how the Postgres 16 psql connection option ?sslrootcert=system helps establish secure connections to Neon databases and avoid MITM risks. It contrasts encryption with server authentication and warns that common sslmode defaults may not provide both.

## Source excerpt

The psql client accepts a new connection string option in Postgres 16: ?sslrootcert=system. This new option makes it simpler than ever to connect a secure interactive session to your Neon database: You can use psql version 16 with this new option even if your Neon database is sti...